Bis-azo colorants for use as bluing agents

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to bis-azo colorants for use as bluing agents, laundry care compositions comprising bis-azo colorants that may serve as bluing agents, processes for making such bluing agents and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The bluing agents are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. These bluing agents are advantageous in providing a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to bis-azo colorants for use as bluing agents,laundry care compositions comprising bis-azo colorants that may serve asbluing agents, processes for making such bluing agents and laundry carecompositions and methods of using the same. The bluing agents aregenerally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophorecomponent and at least one polymeric component. These bluing agents areadvantageous in providing a whitening effect to fabrics, while notbuilding up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to thetreated fabrics.

BACKGROUND

As textile substrates age, their color tends to fade or yellow due toexposure to light, air, soil, and natural degradation of the fibers thatcomprise the substrates. Thus, the purpose of bluing agents is generallyto visually brighten these textile substrates and counteract the fadingand yellowing of the substrates. Typically, bluing agents may be foundin laundry detergents, fabric softeners, or rinse aids and are thereforeapplied to textile substrates during the laundering process. However, itis important that bluing agents function to brighten treated textilesubstrates without causing undesirable staining of the textilesubstrates. Cellulosic substrates, in particular, tend to exhibit ayellow hue after exposure to light, air, and/or soiling. This yellownessis often difficult to reverse by normal laundering procedures. As aresult, there exists a need for improved bluing agents which are capableof eliminating the yellowness exhibited by ageing cellulosic substrates.By utilizing such improved bluing agents, the life of the textilesubstrates, such as clothing articles, table linens, etc., may beextended. Unfortunately, current bluing agents either do not provide ahueing benefit after a single treatment cycle and/or they build up to anundesirable level, thus over hueing the treated situs over multipletreatment cycles.

The present invention offers advantages over previous efforts in thisarea, as this invention takes advantage of compounds having anon-sulfonic acid substituent in the terminal phenyl ring of the bis-azostructure. Sulfonic acid groups are known to promote the deposition andstaining of acid dyes on cellulosic fabrics. These groups are alsoessential for the solubility and compatibility of the dyes in laundryformulations. While it is necessary that bluing agents deposit from washwater, it is undesirable that they stain the fabric by inadvertentcontact or by building up over time, i.e. overhueing. Applicantsrecognized that modification or replacement of the sulfonic acid groupat the phenyl terminal end of the bis-azo with a nonionic solubilizinggroup allows for good deposition of the bis-azo but attenuates itsstaining and overhueing tendencies and still allows the bluing agent tobe compatible in laundry formulations. In short, Applicants recognizedthe source of the current hueing deficiencies and herein provide thesolution to such problem. The hueing compounds disclosed herein alsoabsorb light at a wavelength appropriate to neutralize the yellowness ofcellulosic substrates. These compounds function ideally as bluing agentsfor cellulosic substrates and may be incorporated into laundry carecompositions for use by consumers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This invention relates to laundry care compositions comprising bis-azocolorants that may serve as bluing agents, processes for making suchlaundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The bluingagents are generally comprised of at least two components: at least onechromophore component and at least one polymeric component. These bluingagents are advantageous in providing a whitening effect to fabrics,while not building up over time and causing undesirable bluediscoloration to the treated fabrics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “alkoxy” is intended to include C₁-C₆ alkoxyand alkoxy derivatives of polyols having repeating units such asbutylene oxide, glycidol oxide, ethylene oxide or propylene oxide.

As used herein, the terms “alkyl” and “alkyl capped” are intended toinclude C₁-C₆ alkyl groups.

The terms “ethylene oxide,” “propylene oxide” and “butylene oxide” shownherein by their typical designation of “EO,” “PO” and “BO,”respectively.

As used herein, the term “laundry care composition” includes, unlessotherwise indicated, granular, powder, liquid, gel, paste, unit dose barform and/or flake type washing agents and/or fabric treatmentcompositions.

As used herein, the term “fabric treatment composition” includes, unlessotherwise indicated, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancingcompositions, fabric freshening compositions and combinations there of.Such compositions may be, but need not be rinse added compositions.

As used herein, “cellulosic substrates” are intended to include anysubstrate which comprises at least a majority by weight of cellulose.Cellulose may be found in wood, cotton, linen, jute, and hemp.Cellulosic substrates may be in the form of powders, fibers, pulp andarticles formed from powders, fibers and pulp. Cellulosic fibers,include, without limitation, cotton, rayon (regenerated cellulose),acetate (cellulose acetate), triacetate (cellulose triacetate), andmixtures thereof. Articles formed from cellulosic fibers include textilearticles such as fabrics. Articles formed from pulp include paper.

As used herein, the articles including “the”, “a” and “an” when used ina claim, are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed ordescribed.

As used herein, the terms “include”, “includes” and “including” aremeant to be non-limiting.

The test methods disclosed in the Test Methods Section of the presentapplication should be used to determine the respective values of theparameters of Applicants' inventions.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are inreference to the active portion of that component or composition, andare exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents orby-products, which may be present in commercially available sources ofsuch components or compositions.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwiseindicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the totalcomposition unless otherwise indicated.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation giventhroughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation,as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein.Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specificationwill include every higher numerical limitation, as if such highernumerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numericalrange given throughout this specification will include every narrowernumerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as ifsuch narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

All documents cited are, in relevant part, incorporated herein byreference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as anadmission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

Suitable Bluing Agents

The bluing agents employed in the present laundry care compositions maybe dyes, pigments, or polymeric colorants comprising a chromophoreconstituent and a polymeric constituent. The chromophore constituent ischaracterized in that it absorbs light in the wavelength range of blue,red, violet, purple, or combinations thereof upon exposure to light. Inone aspect, the chromophore constituent exhibits an absorbance spectrummaximum from about 520 nanometers to about 640 nanometers in waterand/or methanol, and in another aspect, from about 560 nanometers toabout 610 nanometers in water and/or methanol.

Examples of suitable polymeric constituents include polyoxyalkylenechains having multiple repeating units. In one aspect, the polymericconstituents include polyoxyalkylene chains having from 2 to about 30repeating units, from 2 to about 20 repeating units, from 2 to about 10repeating units or even from about 3 or 4 to about 6 repeating units.Non-limiting examples of polyoxyalkylene chains include ethylene oxide,propylene oxide, glycidol oxide, butylene oxide and mixtures thereof.

In one aspect, the bluing agent employed in the present laundry carecompositions may have the following general structure (I):

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy,        polyalkyleneoxy, or acetamido;    -   R₃ is an aryl group substituent that may be a substituted phenyl        or napthyl moiety;    -   X is an oxygen, nitrogen or sulfonamido group further        substituted with alkyl, alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, or phenyl        moieties wherein the phenyl group may be further substituted        with alkyl, alkyleneoxy or polyalkyleneoxy moieties.

In another aspect, suitable bluing agents may have the following generalStructure (II):

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, or acetamido;    -   W is a substituted amino moiety;    -   X is a hydrogen, an amino group or an amino group substituted        with an acyl group;    -   Y is a hydrogen or a sulfonic acid moiety; and    -   Z is a sulfonic acid moiety or an amino group substituted with a        phenyl group.

In further aspects, suitable bluing agents may have the followinggeneral Structure (III):

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ is alkoxy;    -   R₂ is alkyl;    -   W is a substituted amino moiety;    -   X is a hydrogen, an amino group or an amino group substituted        with an acyl group;    -   Y is a hydrogen or a sulfonic acid moiety; and    -   Z is a sulfonic acid moiety or an amino group substituted with a        phenyl group.

In one aspect, said bluing agent may comprise:

-   -   (a) at least one chromophore component that comprises a bis-azo        colorant, and    -   (b) at least one polymeric component or substituted sulfonamide        component;    -   wherein the bluing agent has the following structure:

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy, alkyl        capped alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, alkyl capped        polyalkyleneoxy, urea, or amido;    -   R₃ is an aryl group substituent that may be a substituted phenyl        or napthyl moiety;    -   X is a substituted oxygen, a substituted or unsubstituted amino,        or a substituted or unsubstituted sulfonamide group wherein the        substituents are selected from the group consisting of alkyl,        alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, or phenyl moieties wherein the        phenyl group may be further substituted with alkyl, alkyleneoxy        or polyalkyleneoxy moieties. In one aspect, said bluing agent        may comprise a polyoxyalkylene chain having from 2 to about 30        repeating units.

In one aspect, said bluing agent may comprise a polyoxyalkylene chainhaving from 2 to about 20 repeating units.

In one aspect, said bluing agent may comprise a polyoxyalkylene chainhaving from 2 to about 10 repeating units.

In one aspect, bluing agent may comprise a polyoxyalkylene chain havingfrom about 4 to about 6 repeating units.

In one aspect, bluing agent may comprise an alkoxylated bis-azopolymeric colorant.

In one aspect, bluing agent's chromophore may exhibit an absorbancespectrum maximum in water of from about 520 nanometers to about 640nanometers.

In one aspect, said bluing agent's chromophore may exhibit an absorbancespectrum maximum in water of from about 560 nanometers to about 610nanometers.

In one aspect, said bluing agent may exhibit an absolute hue angle inthe range of 265° to 310°.

In aspect said, bluing agent may exhibit an absolute hue angle in therange of 273° to 287°.

In one aspect, said bluing agent may have the following structure:

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy, alkyl        capped alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, alkyl capped        polyalkyleneoxy, or amido;    -   W is a substituted amino moiety;    -   U is a hydrogen, an amino group or an amino group substituted        with an acyl group;    -   Y is a hydrogen or a sulfonic acid moiety; and    -   Z is a sulfonic acid moiety or an amino group substituted with a        phenyl group.

In one aspect, of said bluing agent, R₁ is alkoxy and R₂ is alkyl. Inone aspect of the invention, suitable bluing agents include, but are notlimited to the following structures:

A suitable synthesis route for certain bis-azo colorants disclosedherein is shown below:

Wherein:

-   -   R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl,        polyalkyleneoxy, phenyl and substituted phenyl, and    -   R′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, or        alkoxy.

Other certain bis-azo colorants disclosed herein may be prepared in asimilar manner by substituting2-[2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy]-5-methylbenzenamine for either2-methoxy-5-methylbenzenamine or 2,5-dimethoxybenzenamine in thesynthesis scheme above.

The base utilized in the first step of the reaction may be selected fromsodium carbonate, sodium acetate, sodium hydroxide, or other cationicsalts of these respective bases, and tertiary amines.

Acid hydrolysis may be carried out utilizing a strong acid such ashydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.

Alternatively, the bis-azo colorants disclosed herein may be madeaccording to various procedures known in the art and/or in accordancewith the examples of the present invention. For example, coupling may becarried out using polyalkyleneoxy substituted aniline compounds derivedby known procedures from starting materials such as4-methyoxy-2-nitrophenol or 4-methyl-2-nitrophenol, both of which areavailable from VWR International, LLC (West Chester, Pa., USA).

Laundry Care Compositions

Any of the bluing agents described in the present specification may beincorporated into laundry care compositions including but not limited tolaundry detergents and fabric care compositions. The laundry carecompositions including laundry detergents may be in solid or liquidform, including a gel form. Such compositions may comprise one or moreof said bluing agents and a laundry care ingredient. The bluing agentsmay be added to substrates using a variety of application techniques.For instance, for application to cellulose-containing textilesubstrates, the bluing agent may be included as a component of a laundrydetergent. Thus, application to a cellulose-containing textile substrateactually occurs when a consumer adds laundry detergent to a washingmachine. The bluing agent may be present in the laundry detergentcomposition in an amount from about 0.0001% to about 10% by weight ofthe composition, from about 0.0001% to about 5% by weight of thecomposition, and even from about 0.0001% to about 1% by weight of thecomposition.

The laundry detergent composition typically comprises a surfactant in anamount sufficient to provide desired cleaning properties. In one aspect,the laundry detergent composition may comprise, based on total laundrydetergent composition weight, from about 5% to about 90% of thesurfactant, from about 5% to about 70% of the surfactant, or even fromabout 5% to about 40% of the surfactant. The surfactant may compriseanionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic and/or amphoteric surfactants.In one aspect, the detergent composition comprises anionic surfactant,nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof.

Fabric care compositions are typically added in the rinse cycle, whichis after the detergent solution has been used and replaced with therinsing solution in typical laundering processes. The fabric carecompositions disclosed herein may be comprise a rinse added fabricsoftening active and a suitable bluing agent as disclosed in the presentspecification

The fabric care composition may comprise, based on total fabric carecomposition weight, from about 1% to about 90%, or from about 5% toabout 50% fabric softening active. The bluing agent may be present inthe fabric care composition in an amount from about 0.5 ppb to about 50ppm, or from about 0.5 ppm to about 30 ppm.

In one aspect, a laundry care composition comprising a laundry careingredient and a bluing agent comprising:

-   -   (a) at least one chromophore component that comprises a bis-azo        colorant, and    -   (b) at least one polymeric component or substituted sulfonamide        component;    -   wherein the bluing agent has the following structure:

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy, alkyl        capped alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, alkyl capped        polyalkyleneoxy, urea, or amido;    -   R₃ is an aryl group substituent that may be a substituted phenyl        or napthyl moiety;    -   X is a substituted oxygen, a substituted or unsubstituted amino,        or a substituted or unsubstituted sulfonamide group wherein the        substituents are selected from the group consisting of alkyl,        alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, or phenyl moieties wherein the        phenyl group may be further substituted with alkyl, alkyleneoxy        or polyalkyleneoxy moieties is disclosed.

In one aspect, said bluing agent comprises a polyoxyalkylene chainhaving from 2 to about 30 repeating units.

In one aspect, said bluing agent comprises a polyoxyalkylene chainhaving from 2 to about 20 repeating units.

In one aspect, said bluing agent comprises a polyoxyalkylene chainhaving from 2 to about 10 repeating units.

In one aspect, bluing agent comprises a polyoxyalkylene chain havingfrom about 4 to about 6 repeating units.

In one aspect, bluing agent comprises an alkoxylated bis-azo polymericcolorant.

In one aspect, bluing agent's chromophore exhibits an absorbancespectrum maximum in water of from about 520 nanometers to about 640nanometers.

In one aspect, said bluing agent's chromophore exhibits an absorbancespectrum maximum in water of from about 560 nanometers to about 610nanometers.

In one aspect, said bluing agent exhibits an absolute hue angle in therange of 265° to 310°.

In aspect said, bluing agent exhibits an absolute hue angle in the rangeof 273° to 287°.

In one aspect, said bluing agent has the following structure:

-   -   wherein:    -   R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy, alkyl        capped alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, alkyl capped        polyalkyleneoxy, or amido;    -   W is a substituted amino moiety;    -   U is a hydrogen, an amino group or an amino group substituted        with an acyl group;    -   Y is a hydrogen or a sulfonic acid moiety; and    -   Z is a sulfonic acid moiety or an amino group substituted with a        phenyl group.

In one aspect, of said bluing agent, R₁ is alkoxy and R₂ is alkyl.

Suitable Laundry Care Ingredients

While not essential for the purposes of the present invention, thenon-limiting list of laundry care ingredients illustrated hereinafterare suitable for use in the laundry care compositions and may bedesirably incorporated in certain aspects of the invention, for exampleto assist or enhance performance, for treatment of the substrate to becleaned, or to modify the aesthetics of the composition as is the casewith perfumes, colorants, dyes or the like. It is understood that suchingredients are in addition to the components that were previouslylisted for any particular aspect. The total amount of such adjuncts mayrange, once the amount of dye is taken into consideration from about 90%to about 99.99999995% by weight of the laundry care composition.

The precise nature of these additional components, and levels ofincorporation thereof, will depend on the physical form of thecomposition and the nature of the operation for which it is to be used.Suitable laundry care ingredients include, but are not limited to,fabric softening actives, polymers, for example cationic polymers,surfactants, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents,dispersants, enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials,bleach activators, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soilremoval/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes,additional perfume and perfume delivery systems, structure elasticizingagents, fabric softeners, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids and/orpigments. In addition to the disclosure below, suitable examples of suchother adjuncts and levels of use are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,282,6,306,812 B1 and 6,326,348 B1 that are incorporated by reference.

As stated, the laundry care ingredients are not essential to Applicants'laundry care compositions. Thus, certain aspects of Applicants'compositions do not contain one or more of the following adjunctsmaterials: fabric softening actives, bleach activators, surfactants,builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants,enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic metal complexes, polymericdispersing agents, clay and soil removal/anti-redeposition agents,brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, additional perfumes and perfumedelivery systems, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners,carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids and/or pigments. However, whenone or more adjuncts are present, such one or more adjuncts may bepresent as detailed below:

Surfactants

Suitable anionic surfactants useful herein can comprise any of theconventional anionic surfactant types typically used in liquid detergentproducts. These include the alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their saltsas well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials.

Exemplary anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of C₁₀-C₁₆alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, or C₁₁-C₁₄ alkyl benzene sulfonic acids.In one aspect, the alkyl group is linear and such linear alkyl benzenesulfonates are known as “LAS”. Alkyl benzene sulfonates, andparticularly LAS, are well known in the art. Such surfactants and theirpreparation are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and2,477,383. Especially useful are the sodium and potassium linearstraight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number ofcarbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14. Sodium C₁₁-C₁₄,e.g., C₁₂, LAS is a specific example of such surfactants.

Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant comprises ethoxylated alkylsulfate surfactants. Such materials, also known as alkyl ether sulfatesor alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, are those which correspond to theformula: R′—O—(C₂H₄O)_(n)—SO₃M wherein R′ is a C₈-C₂₀ alkyl group, n isfrom about 1 to 20, and M is a salt-forming cation. In one aspect, R′ isC₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl, n is from about 1 to 15, and M is sodium, potassium,ammonium, alkylammonium, or alkanolammonium. In one aspect, R′ is aC₁₂-C₁₆, n is from about 1 to 6 and M is sodium.

The alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixturescomprising varying R′ chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation.Frequently such mixtures will inevitably also contain somenon-ethoxylated alkyl sulfate materials, i.e., surfactants of the aboveethoxylated alkyl sulfate formula wherein n=0. Non-ethoxylated alkylsulfates may also be added separately to the compositions of thisinvention and used as or in any anionic surfactant component which maybe present. Specific examples of non-alkoxylated, e.g., non-ethoxylated,alkyl ether sulfate surfactants are those produced by the sulfation ofhigher C₈-C₂₀ fatty alcohols. Conventional primary alkyl sulfatesurfactants have the general formula: ROSO₃-M⁺ wherein R is typically alinear C₈-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group, which may be straight chain or branchedchain, and M is a water-solubilizing cation. In one aspect, R is aC₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl, and M is alkali metal, more specifically R is C₁₂-C₁₄ andM is sodium.

Specific, non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants useful hereininclude: a) C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS); b) C₁₀-C₂₀ primary,branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); c) C₁₀-C₁₈ secondary(2,3) alkyl sulfates having formulae (I) and (II): wherein M in formulae(I) and (II) is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge neutrality,and all M units, whether associated with a surfactant or adjunctingredient, can either be a hydrogen atom or a cation depending upon theform isolated by the artisan or the relative pH of the system whereinthe compound is used, with non-limiting examples of suitable cationsincluding sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof, and x is aninteger of at least about 7, or at least about 9, and y is an integer ofat least 8, or at least about 9; d) C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates(AE_(x)S) wherein x is from 1-30; e) C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy carboxylatesin one aspect, comprising 1-5 ethoxy units; f) mid-chain branched alkylsulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No.6,060,443; g) mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,008,181 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303; h) modifiedalkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242,WO 99/05244, WO 99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241, WO 99/07656, WO00/23549, and WO 00/23548; i) methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and j)alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS).

Suitable nonionic surfactants useful herein can comprise any of theconventional nonionic surfactant types typically used in liquiddetergent products. These include alkoxylated fatty alcohols and amineoxide surfactants. In one aspect, for use in the liquid detergentproducts herein are those nonionic surfactants which are normallyliquid.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include the alcoholalkoxylate nonionic surfactants. Alcohol alkoxylates are materials whichcorrespond to the general formula: R¹(C_(m)H_(2m)O)_(n)OH wherein R¹ isa C₈-C₁₆ alkyl group, m is from 2 to 4, and n ranges from about 2 to 12.In one aspect, R¹ is an alkyl group, which may be primary or secondary,that comprises from about 9 to 15 carbon atoms, or from about 10 to 14carbon atoms. In one aspect, the alkoxylated fatty alcohols will also beethoxylated materials that contain from about 2 to 12 ethylene oxidemoieties per molecule, or from about 3 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties permolecule.

The alkoxylated fatty alcohol materials useful in the liquid detergentcompositions herein will frequently have a hydrophilic-lipophilicbalance (HLB) which ranges from about 3 to 17 from about 6 to 15, orfrom about 8 to 15. Alkoxylated fatty alcohol nonionic surfactants havebeen marketed under the tradenames Neodol and Dobanol by the ShellChemical Company.

Another suitable type of nonionic surfactant useful herein comprises theamine oxide surfactants. Amine oxides are materials which are oftenreferred to in the art as “semi-polar” nonionics.

Amine oxides have the formula:R(EO)_(x)(PO)_(y)(BO)_(z)N(O)(CH₂R)₂.qH₂O. In this formula, R is arelatively long-chain hydrocarbyl moiety which can be saturated orunsaturated, linear or branched, and can contain from 8 to 20, 10 to 16carbon atoms, or is a C₁₂-C₁₆ primary alkyl. R′ is a short-chain moiety,in one aspect R′ may be selected from hydrogen, methyl and —CH₂OH. Whenx+y+z is different from 0, EO is ethyleneoxy, PO is propyleneneoxy andBO is butyleneoxy. Amine oxide surfactants are illustrated by C₁₂₋₁₄alkyldimethyl amine oxide.

Non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include: a) C₁₂-C₁₈ alkylethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® nonionic surfactants from Shell; b) C₆-C₁₂alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein the alkoxylate units are a mixture ofethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units; c) C₁₂-C₁₈ alcohol and C₆-C₁₂ alkylphenol condensates with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymerssuch as Pluronic® from BASF; d) C₁₄-C₂₂ mid-chain branched alcohols, BA,as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,322; e) C₁₄-C₂₂ mid-chain branchedalkyl alkoxylates, BAE_(x), wherein x if from 1-30, as discussed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,153,577, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,856;f) Alkylpolysaccharides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 toLlenado, issued Jan. 26, 1986; specifically alkylpolyglycosides asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,780 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,779; g)Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,528,WO 92/06162, WO 93/19146, WO 93/19038, and WO 94/09099; and h) ethercapped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,482,994 and WO 01/42408.

In the laundry detergent compositions herein, the detersive surfactantcomponent may comprise combinations of anionic and nonionic surfactantmaterials. When this is the case, the weight ratio of anionic tononionic will typically range from 10:90 to 90:10, more typically from30:70 to 70:30.

Cationic surfactants are well known in the art and non-limiting examplesof these include quaternary ammonium surfactants, which can have up to26 carbon atoms. Additional examples include a) alkoxylate quaternaryammonium (AQA) surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,769; b)dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium as discussed in U.S. Pat. No.6,004,922; c) polyamine cationic surfactants as discussed in WO98/35002, WO 98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006; d)cationic ester surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,042,4,239,660 4,260,529 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,844; and e) aminosurfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,825 and WO 00/47708,specifically amido propyldimethyl amine (APA).

Non-limiting examples of zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives ofsecondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary andtertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternaryphosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678to Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975 at column 19, line 38 throughcolumn 22, line 48, for examples of zwitterionic surfactants; betaine,including alkyl dimethyl betaine and cocodimethyl amidopropyl betaine,C₈ to C₁₈ (in one aspect C₁₂ to C₁₈) amine oxides and sulfo and hydroxybetaines, such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammino-1-propane sulfonate wherethe alkyl group can be C₈ to C₁₈, or C₁₀ to C₁₄.

Non-limiting examples of ampholytic surfactants include aliphaticderivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives ofheterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphaticradical can be straight- or branched-chain. One of the aliphaticsubstituents comprises at least about 8 carbon atoms, typically fromabout 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one comprises an anionicwater-solubilizing group, e.g. carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate. See U.S.Pat. No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975 at column19, lines 18-35, for examples of ampholytic surfactants.

Aqueous, Non-Surface Active Liquid Carrier

As noted, the laundry care compositions may be in the form of a solid,either in tablet or particulate form, including, but not limited toparticles, flakes, sheets, or the like, or the compositions may be inthe form of a liquid. The liquid detergent compositions may comprise anaqueous, non-surface active liquid carrier. Generally, the amount of theaqueous, non-surface active liquid carrier employed in the compositionsherein will be effective to solubilize, suspend or disperse thecomposition components. For example, the liquid detergent compositionsmay comprise, based on total liquid detergent composition weight, fromabout 5% to about 90%, from about 10% to about 70%, or from about 20% toabout 70% of the aqueous, non-surface active liquid carrier.

The most cost effective type of aqueous, non-surface active liquidcarrier is typically water. Accordingly, the aqueous, non-surface activeliquid carrier component will generally be mostly, if not completely,comprised of water. While other types of water-miscible liquids, suchalkanols, diols, other polyols, ethers, amines, and the like, have beenconventionally been added to liquid detergent compositions asco-solvents or stabilizers, for purposes of the present invention, theutilization of such water-miscible liquids typically is minimized tohold down composition cost. Accordingly, the aqueous liquid carriercomponent of the liquid detergent products herein will generallycomprise water present in concentrations ranging from about 5% to about90%, or from about 5% to about 70%, by weight of the liquid detergentcomposition.

Bleaching Agents

Bleaching Agents—The cleaning compositions of the present invention maycomprise one or more bleaching agents. Suitable bleaching agents otherthan bleaching catalysts include photobleaches, bleach activators,hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, pre-formed 5 peracidsand mixtures thereof. In general, when a bleaching agent is used, thecompositions of the present invention may comprise from about 0.1% toabout 50% or even from about 0.1% to about 25% bleaching agent by weightof the subject cleaning composition. Examples of suitable bleachingagents include:

(1) photobleaches for example sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine;

(2) preformed peracids: Suitable preformed peracids include, but are notlimited to, compounds selected from the group consisting ofpercarboxylic acids and salts, percarbonic acids and salts, perimidicacids and salts, peroxymonosulfuric acids and salts, for example,Oxzone®, and mixtures thereof. Suitable percarboxylic acids includehydrophobic and hydrophilic peracids having the formula R—(C═O)O—O-Mwherein R is an alkyl group, optionally branched, having, when theperacid is hydrophobic, from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or from 8 to 12carbon atoms and, when the peracid is hydrophilic, less than 6 carbonatoms or even less than 4 carbon atoms; and M is a counterion, forexample, sodium, potassium or hydrogen;

(3) sources of hydrogen peroxide, for example, inorganic perhydratesalts, including alkali metal salts such as sodium salts of perborate(usually mono- or tetra-hydrate), percarbonate, persulphate,perphosphate, persilicate salts and mixtures thereof. In one aspect ofthe invention the inorganic perhydrate salts are selected from the groupconsisting of sodium salts of perborate, percarbonate and mixturesthereof. When employed, inorganic perhydrate salts are typically presentin amounts of from 0.05 to 40 wt %, or 1 to 30 wt % of the overallcomposition and are typically incorporated into such compositions as acrystalline solid that may be coated. Suitable coatings include,inorganic salts such as alkali metal silicate, carbonate or borate saltsor mixtures thereof, or organic materials such as water-soluble ordispersible polymers, waxes, oils or fatty soaps; and

(4) bleach activators having R—(C═O)-L wherein R is an alkyl group,optionally branched, having, when the bleach activator is hydrophobic,from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, or from 8 to 12 carbon atoms and, when thebleach activator is hydrophilic, less than 6 carbon atoms or even lessthan 4 carbon atoms; and L is leaving group. Examples of suitableleaving groups are benzoic acid and derivatives thereof—especiallybenzene sulphonate. Suitable bleach activators include dodecanoyloxybenzene sulphonate, decanoyl oxybenzene sulphonate, decanoyloxybenzoic acid or salts thereof, 3,5,5-trimethyl hexanoyloxybenzenesulphonate, tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) and nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate (NOBS). Suitable bleach activators are also disclosed in WO98/17767. While any suitable bleach activator may be employed, in oneaspect of the invention the subject cleaning composition may compriseNOBS, TAED or mixtures thereof.

When present, the peracid and/or bleach activator is generally presentin the composition in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 60 wt %, fromabout 0.5 to about 40 wt % or even from about 0.6 to about 10 wt % basedon the composition. One or more hydrophobic peracids or precursorsthereof may be used in combination with one or more hydrophilic peracidor precursor thereof.

The amounts of hydrogen peroxide source and peracid or bleach activatormay be selected such that the molar ratio of available oxygen (from theperoxide source) to peracid is from 1:1 to 35:1, or even 2:1 to 10:1.

Bleach Boosting Compounds—The compositions herein may comprise one ormore bleach boosting compounds. Bleach boosting compounds provideincreased bleaching effectiveness in lower temperature applications. Thebleach boosters act in conjunction with conventional peroxygen bleachingsources to provide increased bleaching effectiveness. This is normallyaccomplished through in situ formation of an active oxygen transferagent such as a dioxirane, an oxaziridine, or an oxaziridinium.Alternatively, preformed dioxiranes, oxaziridines and oxaziridiniums maybe used.

Among suitable bleach boosting compounds for use in accordance with thepresent invention are cationic imines, zwitterionic imines, anionicimines and/or polyionic imines having a net charge of from about +3 toabout −3, and mixtures thereof. These imine bleach boosting compounds ofthe present invention include those of the general structure:

where R¹-R⁴ may be a hydrogen or an unsubstituted or substituted radicalselected from the group consisting of phenyl, aryl, heterocyclic ring,alkyl and cycloalkyl radicals.

Suitable bleach boosting compounds include zwitterionic bleach boosterszwitterionic bleach boosters, which are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,576,282 and 5,718,614. Other bleach boosting compounds includecationic bleach boosters described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,360,569;5,442,066; 5,478,357; 5,370,826; 5,482,515; 5,550,256; and WO 95/13351,WO 95/13352, and WO 95/13353.

Peroxygen sources are well-known in the art and the peroxygen sourceemployed in the present invention may comprise any of these well knownsources, including peroxygen compounds as well as compounds, which underconsumer use conditions, provide an effective amount of peroxygen insitu. The peroxygen source may include a hydrogen peroxide source, thein situ formation of a peracid anion through the reaction of a hydrogenperoxide source and a bleach activator, preformed peracid compounds ormixtures of suitable peroxygen sources. Of course, one of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that other sources of peroxygen may beemployed without departing from the scope of the invention. The bleachboosting compounds, when present, are typically employed in conjunctionwith a peroxygen source in the bleaching systems of the presentinvention.

Enzyme Bleaching—Enzymatic systems may be used as bleaching agents. Thehydrogen peroxide may also be present by adding an enzymatic system(i.e. an enzyme and a substrate therefore) which is capable ofgenerating hydrogen peroxide at the beginning or during the washingand/or rinsing process. Such enzymatic systems are disclosed in EPPatent Application 91202655.6 filed Oct. 9, 1991.

The present invention compositions and methods may utilize alternativebleach systems such as ozone, chlorine dioxide and the like. Bleachingwith ozone may be accomplished by introducing ozone-containing gashaving ozone content from about 20 to about 300 g/m³ into the solutionthat is to contact the fabrics. The gas:liquid ratio in the solutionshould be maintained from about 1:2.5 to about 1:6. U.S. Pat. No.5,346,588 describes a process for the utilization of ozone as analternative to conventional bleach systems and is herein incorporated byreference.

In one aspect, the fabric softening active (“FSA”) is a quaternaryammonium compound suitable for softening fabric in a rinse step. In oneaspect, the FSA is formed from a reaction product of a fatty acid and anaminoalcohol obtaining mixtures of mono-, di-, and, in one aspect,triester compounds. In another aspect, the FSA comprises one or moresoftener quaternary ammonium compounds such, but not limited to, as amonoalkyquaternary ammonium compound, a diamido quaternary compound anda diester quaternary ammonium compound, or a combination thereof.

In one aspect of the invention, the FSA comprises a diester quaternaryammonium (hereinafter “DQA”) compound composition. In certain aspects ofthe present invention, the DQA compounds compositions also encompasses adescription of diamido FSAs and FSAs with mixed amido and ester linkagesas well as the aforementioned diester linkages, all herein referred toas DQA.

A first type of DQA (“DQA (1)”) suitable as a FSA in the present CFSCincludes a compound comprising the formula:

{R_(4-m)—N⁺—[(CH₂)_(n)—Y—R¹]_(m)}X⁻

wherein each R substituent is either hydrogen, a short chain C₁-C₆, forexample C₁-C₃ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl,hydroxyethyl, and the like, poly (C₂₋₃ alkoxy), for example. polyethoxy,group, benzyl, or mixtures thereof; each m is 2 or 3; each n is from 1to about 4, or 2; each Y is —O—(O)C—, —C(O)—O—, —NR—C(O)—, or —C(O)—NR—and it is acceptable for each Y to be the same or different; the sum ofcarbons in each R¹, plus one when Y is —O—(O)C— or —NR—C(O)—, isC₁₂-C₂₂, or C₁₄-C₂₀, with each R¹ being a hydrocarbyl, or substitutedhydrocarbyl group; it is acceptable for R¹ to be unsaturated orsaturated and branched or linear and in one aspect it is linear; it isacceptable for each R¹ to be the same or different and typically theseare the same; and X⁻ can be any softener-compatible anion, suitableanions include, chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate,phosphate, and nitrate, in one aspect the anions are chloride or methylsulfate. Suitable DQA compounds are typically made by reactingalkanolamines such as MDEA (methyldiethanolamine) and TEA(triethanolamine) with fatty acids. Some materials that typically resultfrom such reactions include N,N-di(acyl-oxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammoniumchloride or N,N-di(acyl-oxyethyl)-N,N-methylhydroxyethylammoniummethylsulfate wherein the acyl group is derived from animal fats,unsaturated, and polyunsaturated, fatty acids, e.g., tallow, hardenedtallow, oleic acid, and/or partially hydrogenated fatty acids, derivedfrom vegetable oils and/or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, suchas, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, corn oil,soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, etc.

Non-limiting examples of suitable fatty acids are listed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,759,990 at column 4, lines 45-66. In one aspect, the FSA comprisesother actives in addition to DQA (1) or DQA. In yet another aspect, theFSA comprises only DQA (1) or DQA and is free or essentially free of anyother quaternary ammonium compounds or other actives. In yet anotheraspect, the FSA comprises the precursor amine that is used to producethe DQA.

In another aspect of the invention, the FSA comprises a compound,identified as DTTMAC comprising the formula:

[R_(4-m)—N⁽⁺⁾—R¹ _(m)]A⁻

wherein each m is 2 or 3, each R¹ is a C₆-C₂₂, or C₁₄-C₂₀, but no morethan one being less than about C₁₂ and then the other is at least about16, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, for example,C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl or alkenyl (unsaturated alkyl, including polyunsaturatedalkyl, also referred to sometimes as “alkylene”), in one aspect C₁₂-C₁₈alkyl or alkenyl, and branch or unbranched. In one aspect, the IodineValue (IV) of the FSA is from about 1 to 70; each R is H or a shortchain C₁-C₆, or C₁-C₃ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., methyl, ethyl,propyl, hydroxyethyl, and the like, benzyl, or (R²⁰)₂₋₄H where each R²is a C₁₋₆ alkylene group; and A⁻ is a softener compatible anion,suitable anions include chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate,sulfate, phosphate, or nitrate; in one aspect the anions are chloride ormethyl sulfate.

Examples of these FSAs include dialkydimethylammonium salts anddialkylenedimethylammonium salts such as ditallowedimethylammonium andditallowedimethylammonium methylsulfate. Examples of commerciallyavailable dialkylenedimethylammonium salts usable in the presentinvention are di-hydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride andditallowedimethyl ammonium chloride available from Degussa under thetrade names Adogen® 442 and Adogen® 470 respectively. In one aspect, theFSA comprises other actives in addition to DTTMAC. In yet anotheraspect, the FSA comprises only compounds of the DTTMAC and is free oressentially free of any other quaternary ammonium compounds or otheractives.

In one aspect, the FSA comprises an FSA described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No.2004/0204337 A1, published Oct. 14, 2004 to Corona et al., fromparagraphs 30-79. In another aspect, the FSA is one described in U.S.Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0229769 A1, published Nov. 18, 2005, to Smith et al.,on paragraphs 26-31; or U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,920, at column 1, line 51 etseq. detailing an “esterquat” or a quaternized fatty acidtriethanolamine ester salt.

In one aspect, the FSA is chosen from at least one of the following:ditallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dihydrogenated-tallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium methylsulfate, dihydrogenated-tallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,dihydrogenated-tallowoyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, orcombinations thereof.

In one aspect, the FSA may also include amide containing compoundcompositions. Examples of diamide comprising compounds may include butnot limited to methyl-bis(tallowamidoethyl)-2-hydroxyethylammoniummethyl sulfate (available from Degussa under the trade names Varisoft110 and Varisoft 222). An example of an amide-ester containing compoundisN-[3-(stearoylamino)propyl]-N-[2-(stearoyloxy)ethoxy)ethyl)]-N-methylamine.

Another aspect of the invention provides for a rinse added fabricsoftening composition further comprising a cationic starch. Cationicstarches are disclosed in US 2004/0204337 A1. In one aspect, the rinseadded fabric softening composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 7%of cationic starch by weight of the fabric softening composition. In oneaspect, the cationic starch is HCP401 from National Starch.

Builders—The compositions of the present invention can comprise one ormore detergent builders or builder systems. When present, thecompositions will typically comprise at least about 1% builder, or fromabout 5% or 10% to about 80%, 50%, or even 30% by weight, of saidbuilder. Builders include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal,ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of polyphosphates, alkali metalsilicates, alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates, aluminosilicatebuilders polycarboxylate compounds. ether hydroxypolycarboxylates,copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether,1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene-2,4,6-trisulphonic acid, andcarboxymethyl-oxysuccinic acid, the various alkali metal, ammonium andsubstituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylatessuch as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleicacid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid,and soluble salts thereof.

Chelating Agents—The compositions herein may also optionally contain oneor more copper, iron and/or manganese chelating agents. If utilized,chelating agents will generally comprise from about 0.1% by weight ofthe compositions herein to about 15%, or even from about 3.0% to about15% by weight of the compositions herein.

Dye Transfer Inhibiting Agents—The compositions of the present inventionmay also include one or more dye transfer inhibiting agents. Suitablepolymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents include, but are not limitedto, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers,copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole,polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles or mixtures thereof. Whenpresent in the compositions herein, the dye transfer inhibiting agentsare present at levels from about 0.0001%, from about 0.01%, from about0.05% by weight of the cleaning compositions to about 10%, about 2%, oreven about 1% by weight of the cleaning compositions.

Dispersants—The compositions of the present invention can also containdispersants. Suitable water-soluble organic materials are the homo- orco-polymeric acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylic acid maycomprise at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each other by notmore than two carbon atoms.

Enzymes—The compositions can comprise one or more detergent enzymeswhich provide cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits. Examplesof suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases,peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases,esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases,phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases,pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase,chondroitinase, laccase, and amylases, or mixtures thereof. A typicalcombination is a cocktail of conventional applicable enzymes likeprotease, lipase, cutinase and/or cellulase in conjunction with amylase.

Enzyme Stabilizers—Enzymes for use in compositions, for example,detergents can be stabilized by various techniques. The enzymes employedherein can be stabilized by the presence of water-soluble sources ofcalcium and/or magnesium ions in the finished compositions that providesuch ions to the enzymes.

Process of Making

The liquid detergent compositions are in the form of an aqueous solutionor uniform dispersion or suspension of surfactant, bluing agent, andcertain optional other ingredients, some of which may normally be insolid form, that have been combined with the normally liquid componentsof the composition, such as the liquid alcohol ethoxylate nonionic, theaqueous liquid carrier, and any other normally liquid optionalingredients. Such a solution, dispersion or suspension will beacceptably phase stable and will typically have a viscosity which rangesfrom about 100 to 600 cps, or from about 150 to 400 cps. For purposes ofthis invention, viscosity is measured with a Brookfield LVDV-II+viscometer apparatus using a #21 spindle.

The liquid detergent compositions herein can be prepared by combiningthe components thereof in any convenient order and by mixing, e.g.,agitating, the resulting component combination to form a phase stableliquid detergent composition. In a process for preparing suchcompositions, a liquid matrix is formed containing at least a majorproportion, or even substantially all, of the liquid components, e.g.,nonionic surfactant, the non-surface active liquid carriers and otheroptional liquid components, with the liquid components being thoroughlyadmixed by imparting shear agitation to this liquid combination. Forexample, rapid stirring with a mechanical stirrer may usefully beemployed. While shear agitation is maintained, substantially all of anyanionic surfactants and the solid form ingredients can be added.Agitation of the mixture is continued, and if necessary, can beincreased at this point to form a solution or a uniform dispersion ofinsoluble solid phase particulates within the liquid phase. After someor all of the solid-form materials have been added to this agitatedmixture, particles of any enzyme material to be included, e.g., enzymeprills, are incorporated. As a variation of the composition preparationprocedure hereinbefore described, one or more of the solid componentsmay be added to the agitated mixture as a solution or slurry ofparticles premixed with a minor portion of one or more of the liquidcomponents. After addition of all of the composition components,agitation of the mixture is continued for a period of time sufficient toform compositions having the requisite viscosity and phase stabilitycharacteristics. Frequently this will involve agitation for a period offrom about 30 to 60 minutes.

In one aspect of forming the liquid detergent compositions, the bluingagent is first combined with one or more liquid components to form abluing agent premix, and this bluing agent premix is added to acomposition formulation containing a substantial portion, for examplemore than 50% by weight, more specifically, more than 70% by weight, andyet more specifically, more than 90% by weight, of the balance ofcomponents of the laundry detergent composition. For example, in themethodology described above, both the bluing agent premix and the enzymecomponent are added at a final stage of component additions. In anotheraspect, the bluing agent is encapsulated prior to addition to thedetergent composition, the encapsulated bluing agent is suspended in astructured liquid, and the suspension is added to a compositionformulation containing a substantial portion of the balance ofcomponents of the laundry detergent composition.

As noted previously, the detergent compositions may be in a solid form.Suitable solid forms include tablets and particulate forms, for example,granular particles, flakes or sheets. Various techniques for formingdetergent compositions in such solid forms are well known in the art andmay be used herein. In one aspect, for example when the composition isin the form of a granular particle, the bluing agent is provided inparticulate form, optionally including additional but not all componentsof the laundry detergent composition. The bluing agent particulate iscombined with one or more additional particulates containing a balanceof components of the laundry detergent composition. Further, the bluingagent, optionally including additional but not all components of thelaundry detergent composition, may be provided in an encapsulated form,and the bluing agent encapsulate is combined with particulatescontaining a substantial balance of components of the laundry detergentcomposition.

The compositions of this invention, prepared as hereinbefore described,can be used to form aqueous washing solutions for use in the launderingof fabrics. Generally, an effective amount of such compositions is addedto water, for example in a conventional fabric laundering automaticwashing machine, to form such aqueous laundering solutions. The aqueouswashing solution so formed is then contacted, typically under agitation,with the fabrics to be laundered therewith. An effective amount of theliquid detergent compositions herein added to water to form aqueouslaundering solutions can comprise amounts sufficient to form from about500 to 7,000 ppm of composition in aqueous washing solution, or fromabout 1,000 to 3,000 ppm of the detergent compositions herein will beprovided in aqueous washing solution.

Method of Use

Certain of the consumer products disclosed herein can be used to cleanor treat a situs inter alia a surface or fabric. Typically at least aportion of the situs is contacted with an embodiment of Applicants'consumer product, in neat form or diluted in a liquor, for example, awash liquor and then the situs may be optionally washed and/or rinsed.In one aspect, a situs is optionally washed and/or rinsed, contactedwith an aspect of the consumer product and then optionally washed and/orrinsed. For purposes of the present invention, washing includes but isnot limited to, scrubbing, and mechanical agitation. The fabric maycomprise most any fabric capable of being laundered or treated in normalconsumer use conditions. Liquors that may comprise the disclosedcompositions may have a pH of from about 3 to about 11.5. Suchcompositions are typically employed at concentrations of from about 500ppm to about 15,000 ppm in solution. When the wash solvent is water, thewater temperature typically ranges from about 5° C. to about 90° C. and,when the situs comprises a fabric, the water to fabric ratio istypically from about 1:1 to about 30:1. Employing one or more of theaforementioned methods results in a treated situs.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided to further illustrate the bluingagents of the present invention; however, they are not to be construedas limiting the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. Infact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in this invention withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention. All parts andpercents given in these examples are by weight unless otherwiseindicated.

Sample Preparation and Test Methods A. Sample Preparation

The following bis-azo colorants are prepared as described herein. TheUV-visible spectrum of each colorant is determined by dissolving it in asuitable solvent, typically water or methanol, at a concentration thatgives an absorbance at the lambda max of less than 1.0 at a path lengthof 1.0 cm. A Beckman Coulter DU 800 spectrophotometer was used tomeasure the UV-visible spectrum and determine the lambda max (“λ_(max)”)of each sample.

Example 1

To an aqueous suspension of 11.68 grams of p-acetamidobenzenesulfonylchloride cooled to 15-20° C. is added 8.15 grams of3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine at a rate sufficient to keepthe temperature below 20° C. Aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is addedas needed to keep the pH at >7. After 2 hours of stirring, the reactionis complete and 50 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid is added, andthe mixture refluxed until the infrared spectrum indicated that theacetyl group has been cleaved. The mixture is cooled to 0-5° C. and 3.58grams of sodium nitrite is added to the mixture and stirred for 2 hours.The resulting diazonium salt is added to a cooled solution of 6.85 gramsof 2-methoxy-5-methylaniline in dilute aqueous hydrochloric acidresulting in a deep orange red product. This product is furtherdiazotized at 0-5° C. by adding 3.58 grams of sodium nitrite withadditional hydrochloric acid as necessary to keep the pH at <2. Themixture is stirred for 2 hours. The resulting diazonium salt is added toa cooled (0-5° C.) aqueous solution of H-acid in water containingsufficient sodium hydroxide to dissolve the H-acid. The pH of thereaction mixture is kept at 10-12 during the addition of the diazoniumsalt by adding sodium hydroxide solution as necessary. This resulted ina solution of the deep violet colored product represented as Formula BA4herein. The product has a λ_(max) of 569 nm in water.

Example 2

The product represented as Formula BA13 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 1 except 7.65 grams of 2,5-dimethoxyaniline aresubstituted for 2-methoxy-5-methylaniline. The product has a λ_(max) of583 nm in water.

Example 3

The product represented as Formula BA31 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 1 except 9.75 grams of N-acetyl-H acid are substitutedfor H acid. The product has a λ_(max) of 560 nm in water.

Example 4

The product represented as Formula BA58 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 1 except 15.75 grams of N-phenyl J acid aresubstituted for H acid. The product has a λ_(max) of 545 nm in water.

Example 5

The product represented as Formula BA herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 2 except 15.75 grams of N-phenyl J acid aresubstituted for H acid. The product has a λ_(max) of 558 nm in water.

Example 6

The product represented as Formula BA5 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 1 except 8.85 grams of3-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine are substituted for3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The product has a λ_(max) of577 nm in water.

Example 7

The product represented as Formula BA14 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 6 except 7.65 grams of 2,5-dimethoxyaniline aresubstituted for 2-methoxy-5-methylaniline. The product has a λ_(max) of608 nm in methanol.

Example 8

The product represented as Formula BA12 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 7 except 30.70 grams of Surfonamine® B60 aresubstituted for 3-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The producthas a λ_(max) of 590 nm in water.

Example 9

The product represented as Formula BA2 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 6 except 52.90 grams of Surfonamine® L100 aresubstituted for 3-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The producthas a λ_(max) of 581 nm in water.

Example 10

The product represented as Formula BAH herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 8 except 52.90 grams of Surfonamine® L100 aresubstituted for 3-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The producthas a λ_(max) of 578 nm in water.

Example 11

To a cold (0-5° C.) solution of p-polyalkyleneoxyphenylamine (27.45grams in 100 ml of water), containing sufficient hydrochloric acid togive a pH of 1, are added 3.58 grams of sodium nitrite. The mixture isstirred for 2 hours. The mixture is then added to a cold solution of7.65 grams of 2,5-dimethoxyaniline in dilute hydrochloric acid to givean orange colored product. This product is further diazotized by addingsufficient hydrochloric acid to keep the pH at 1 followed by 3.58 gramsof sodium nitrite. After stirring 2 hours at 0-5° C., the mixture isadded to an aqueous solution of 15.85 grams of H acid along withsufficient sodium hydroxide to dissolve the H acid. During the additionof the diazonium salt, the pH is kept at 10-12 by the addition ofaqueous sodium hydroxide solution. This resulted in a violet coloredproduct represented as Formula BA18 herein. The product has a λ_(max) of574 nm in methanol.

Example 12

The product represented as Formula BA15 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 2 except 27.45 grams of p-polyalkyleneoxyphenylamineare substituted for 3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. Theproduct has a λ_(max) of 574 nm in methanol.

Example 13

The product represented as Formula BA17 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 2 except 5.25 grams of diethanolamine are substitutedfor 3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The product has a λ_(max)of 581 nm in water.

Example 14

The product represented as Formula BA1 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 1 except 35.75 grams of Jeffamine® M715 aresubstituted for 3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The producthas a λ_(max) of 578 nm in water.

Example 15

The product represented as Formula BA28 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 3 except 35.75 grams of Jeffamine® M715 aresubstituted for 3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The producthas a λ_(max) of 563 nm in water.

Example 16

The product represented as Formula BASS herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 4 except 35.75 grams of Jeffamine® M715 aresubstituted for 3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The producthas a λ_(max) of 545 nm in methanol.

Example 17

The product represented as Formula BA34 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 3 except 3.65 grams of diethylamine are substitutedfor 3-(2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)propylamine. The product has a λ_(max)of 560 nm in water.

Example 18

The product represented as Formula BA61 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 17 except 15.75 grams of N-phenyl J acid aresubstituted for N-acetyl H acid. The product has a λ_(max) of 551 nm inmethanol.

Example 19

The product represented as Formula BA7 herein is prepared in a similarmanner to Example 17 except 15.90 grams of H acid are substituted forN-acetyl H acid. The product has a λ_(max) of 599 nm in methanol.

The bis-azo colorants set forth in Table A conform generally toStructure (II) and are prepared according to the methods describedherein.

TABLE A Bis-Azo Colorants Sam- ple No. R1 R2 W X Y Z Ex- CH₃O CH₃3-(2-(2- NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- hydroxyethoxy) ple 1 ethoxy) propylaminoEx- CH₃O CH₃O 3-(2-(2- NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- hydroxyethoxy) ple 2 ethoxy)propylamino Ex- CH₃O CH₃ 3-(2-(2- NHAcetyl SO₃Na SO₃Na am-hydroxyethoxy) ple 3 ethoxy) propylamino Ex- CH₃O CH₃ 3-(2-(2- H SO₃NaNHPhenyl am- hydroxyethoxy) ple 4 ethoxy) propylamino Ex- CH₃O CH₃O3-(2-(2- H SO₃Na NHPhenyl am- hydroxyethoxy) ple 5 ethoxy) propylaminoEx- CH₃O CH₃ 3-(2-(2- NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- methoxyethoxy) ple 6 ethoxy)propylamino Ex- CH₃O CH₃O 3-(2-(2- NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- methoxyethoxy)ple 7 ethoxy) propylamino Ex- CH₃O CH₃O Surfonamine ® NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Naam- B60 ple 8 Ex- CH₃O CH₃ Surfonamine ® NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- L100 ple 9Ex- CH₃O CH₃O Surfonamine ® NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- L100 ple 10 Ex- CH₃OCH₃O p-polyalkylene- NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- oxyphenyl- ple amino 12 Ex-CH₃O CH₃O Dihydroxy- NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- ethylamino ple 13 Ex- CH₃O CH₃Jeffamine ® NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- M715 ple 14 Ex- CH₃O CH₃ Jeffamine ®NHAcetyl SO₃Na SO₃Na am- M715 ple 15 Ex- CH₃O CH₃ Jeffamine ® H SO₃NaNHPhenyl am- M715 ple 16 Ex- CH₃O CH₃ Diethylamino NHAcetyl SO₃Na SO₃Naam- ple 17 Ex- CH₃O CH₃ Diethylamino H SO₃Na NHPhenyl am- ple 18 Ex-CH₃O CH₃ Diethylamino NH₂ SO₃Na SO₃Na am- ple 19

For Example 11, which conforms generally to Structure (I), R₁═OCH₃,R₂═OCH₃, R₃=6-substituted H acid, and X=p-polyalkyleneoxyphenylazo.

The chemical names for the corresponding colorants of Table A arerespectively provided in Table B below. The chemical names aredetermined using ChemDraw Ultra; Version 7.0.1, available fromCambridgeSoft, Cambridge, Mass., USA.

TABLE B Chemical Names for Bis-Azo Colorants Sample No. Chemical NameExample5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[4-(4-{3-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-propylsulfamoyl}-1 phenylazo)-2-methoxy-5-methyl-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonicacid, disodium salt Example5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[4-(4-{3-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-propylsulfamoyl}-2 phenylazo)-2,5-dimethoxy-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid,disodium salt Example5-Acetylamino-4-hydroxy-3-[4-(4-{3-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]- 3propylsulfamoyl}-phenylazo)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium salt Example4-Hydroxy-3-[4-(4-{3-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-propylsulfamoyl}- 4phenylazo)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-phenylazo]-7-phenylamino-naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, sodium salt Example4-Hydroxy-3-[4-(4-{3-[2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-propylsulfamoyl}- 5phenylazo)-2,5-dimethoxy-phenylazo]-7-phenylamino-naphthalene-2-sulfonicacid, sodium salt Example5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[2-methoxy-4-(4-{3-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethoxy]- 6propylsulfamoyl}-phenylazo)-5-methyl-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonicacid, disodium salt Example5-Amino-3-[2,5-dimethoxy-4-(4-{3-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-ethoxy]- 7propylsulfamoyl}-phenylazo)-phenylazo]-4-hydroxy-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonicacid Example5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[2,5-dimethoxy-4-(4-polyalkyleneoxysulfamoylphenylazo)-8 phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium salt Example5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[2-methoxy-4-(4-polyalkyleneoxysulfamoylphenylazo)-5-9 methyl-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium saltExample5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[2,5-dimethoxy-4-(4-polyalkyleneoxysulfamoylphenylazo)-10 phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium salt Example5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[2,4-dimethoxy-4-(4- 11polyalkyleneoxyphenyl)sulfamoylphenylazo]-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium salt Example5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[2,5-dimethoxy-4-(4-polyalkyleneoxysulfamoylphenylazo)-12 phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium salt Example5-Amino-3-(4-{4-[bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-sulfamoyl]-phenylazo}-2,5-dimethoxy-13 phenylazo)-4-hydroxy-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium saltExample5-Amino-4-hydroxy-3-[4-(4-polyalkyleneoxysulfamoyl-phenylazo)-2-methoxy-5-14 methyl-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium saltExample5-Acetylamino-4-hydroxy-3-[4-polyoxalkyenesulfamoylphenylazo)-5-methoxy-2-15 methyl-phenylazo]-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium saltExample4-Hydroxy-3-[4-(4-polyalkyleneoxysulfamoyl-phenylazo)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-16 phenylazo]-7-phenylamino-naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, sodium saltExample5-Acetylamino-3-[4-(4-diethylsulfamoyl-phenylazo)-5-methoxy-2-methyl- 17phenylazo]-4-hydroxy-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium saltExample3-[4-(4-Diethylsulfamoyl-phenylazo)-2-methoxy-5-methyl-phenylazo]-4-hydroxy-18 7-phenylamino-naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, sodium salt Example5-Amino-3-[4-(4-diethylsulfamoyl-phenylazo)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-phenylazo]-4-19 hydroxy-naphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid, disodium salt

Structural representations of Examples 1-19 are provided herein.

B. Test Methods I. Method for Determining Molar Absorptivity (ε)

The Molar Absorptivity is determined by dissolving a known amount of thecompound in a suitable solvent and measuring the absorbance of thesolution on an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The absorptivityis calculated by dividing the absorbance by the molar concentration inmoles/liter and the path length which is typically one centimeter.

Washing of Fabric: Each dye is run in a simulated wash of CW120 fabric(16 oz white cotton interlock knit fabric, 270 g/square meter,brightened with Uvitex BNB fluorescent whitening agent, from TestFabrics. P.O. Box 26, Weston, Pa., 18643) using typical conditions forNorth American heavy duty laundry detergent (“NA HDL” or “HDL”) (788 ppmdose, 20° C., 6 gpg 3:1 Ca:Mg, 30:1 liquor:fabric ratio, 30 minutes) atsix dilutions, with the highest wash water absorbance being set close toa value of 1.0. Fabrics are rinsed once for 5 minutes and air dried.

L*, a* and b* values are measured on each fabric (four internalreplicates for each wash condition) using a Hunter LabScan XEreflectance spectrophotometer with D65 illumination, 10° observer and UVfilter excluded, and difference values calculated against a nil-dye HDLreference.

II. Method for Determining Specific Deposition (Abs^(Δb-2))

From the plot of wash solution absorbance vs. Δb*, the wash solutionabsorbance necessary to deliver a Δb* of −2.0 on fabric is determined bylinear interpolation of the two data points that bracket the target Δb*.

III. Method for Determining Relative Hue Angle (θ_(R)) and Absolute HueAngle (θ_(A))

From a plot of Δa* vs. Δb* for each concentration point of a givencompound, the Δa* value at Δb*=−2.0 is determined by interpolation ofthe two data points that bracketed Δb*=−2.0. The relative hue angleθ_(R) is then calculated as 270+arctan(|Δa*/Δb*|) for positive values ofΔa* and 270−arctan(|Δa*/Δb*|) where Δa* is negative.

The Δa* value at Δb*=−2.0 is added to the a* value, and −2.0 is added tothe b* value of a tracer fabric washed in nil-dye HDL (a*=2.0; b*=−15.5;average of 24 replicates). The absolute hue angle is determined at theconcentration of dye that delivers Δb*=−2.0, using a*_(Dye) and b*_(Dye)as defined below:

a ^(*) _(Dye) =a ^(*) _(tracer) +Δa* _(Dye)=2.0+Δa ^(*) _(Dye)

b* _(Dye) =b* _(tracer) +Δb* _(Dye)=−15.5+(−2.0)=−17.5.

The absolute hue angle θ_(A) is calculated as270+arctan(|a*_(Dye)/b*_(Dye)|) for positive values of a*_(Dye) and270−arctan(|a*_(Dye)/b*_(Dye)|) where a*_(Dye) is negative.

IV. Method for Determining Surface Color

The surface color of an article may be quantified using a series ofmeasurements—L*, a*, and b*—generated by measuring the samples using aspectrophotometer. The equipment used for this test is a Gretag MacbethColor Eye 7000A spectrophotometer. The software program used is “Colorimatch.” “L” is a measure of the amount of white or black in a sample;higher “L” values indicate a lighter colored sample. A measure of theamount of red or green in a sample is determined by “a*” values. Ameasure of the amount of blue or yellow in a sample is determined by“b*” values; lower (more negative) b* values indicate more blue on asample.

V. Method for Determining Hueing Efficiency for Detergents

-   -   a.) Two 25 cm×25 cm fabric swatches of 16 oz white cotton        interlock knit fabric (270 g/square meter, brightened with        Uvitex BNB fluorescent whitening agent, from Test Fabrics. P.O.        Box 26, Weston, Pa., 18643), are obtained.    -   b.) Prepare two one liter aliquots of tap water containing 1.55        g of AATCC standard heavy duty liquid (HDL) test detergent as        set forth in Table 3.    -   c.) Add a sufficient amount the dye to be tested to one of the        aliquots from Step b.) above to produce an aqueous solution        absorbance of 1 AU.    -   d.) Wash one swatch from a.) above in one of the aliquots of        water containing 1.55 g of AATCC standard heavy duty liquid        (HDL) test detergent and wash the other swatch in the other        aliquot. Such washing step should be conducted for 30 minutes at        room temperature with agitation. After such washing step        separately rinse the swatches in tap water and air dry the        swatches in the dark.    -   e.) After rinsing and drying each swatch, the hueing efficiency,        DE*_(eff), of the dye is assessed by determining the L*, a*, and        b* value measurements of each swatch using a Hunter LabScan XE        reflectance spectrophotometer with D65 illumination, 10°        observer and UV filter excluded. The hueing efficiency of the        dye is then calculated using the following equation:

DE* _(eff)=((L* _(c) −L* _(s))²+(a* _(c) −a* _(s))²+(b* _(c) −b*_(s))^(1/2)

-   -   -   wherein the subscripts c and s respectively refer to the L*,            a*, and b* values measured for the control, i.e., the fabric            sample washed in detergent with no dye, and the fabric            sample washed in detergent containing the dye to be            screened.

VI. Method for Determining Wash Removability

-   -   a.) Prepare two separate 150 ml aliquots of HDL detergent        solution set forth in Table 1, according to AATCC Test Method        61-2003, Test 2A and containing 1.55 g/liter of the AATCC HDL        formula in distilled water.    -   b.) A 15 cm×5 cm sample of each fabric swatch from the Method        for Determining of Hueing Efficiency For Detergents described        above is washed in a Launderometer for 45 minutes at 49° C. in        150 ml of a the HDL detergent solution prepared according to        Step II. a.) above.    -   c.) The samples are rinsed with separate aliquots of rinse water        and air dried in the dark, and then L*, a*, and b* value        measurements of each swatch are taken using a Hunter LabScan XE        reflectance spectrophotometer with D65 illumination, 10°        observer and UV filter excluded. The amount of residual        coloration is assessed by measuring the DE^(*) _(res),        calculated using the following equation:

DE ^(*) _(res)=((L ^(*) _(c) −L* _(s))²+(a* _(c) −a* _(s))²+(b* _(c) −b*_(s))^(1/2)

-   -   -   wherein the subscripts c and s respectively refer to the L*,            a*, and b* values measured for the control, i.e., the fabric            sample initially washed in detergent with no dye, and the            fabric sample initially washed in detergent containing the            dye to be screened. The wash removal value for the dye is            then calculated according to the formula: %            removal=100×(1−DE*_(res)/DE*_(eff)).

VII. Method for Determining Staining

This procedure uses three fabric types to determine the propensity of adye dissolved in a detergent matrix to stain fabric in a manner similarto a home laundry pre-treat scenario. The three primary fibers examinedare cotton, nylon, and spandex (a synthetic polymer having urethaneblocks) that comprise the following fabrics:

16 oz cotton interlock knit fabric (270 g/square meter, brightened withUvitex BNB fluorescent whitening agent, obtained from Test Fabrics. P.O.Box 26, Weston, Pa., 18643),6.3 oz 90% Cotton/10% Lycra®, Stock # CLF, obtained from Dharma TradingCo., 1604 Fourth St. San Rafael, Calif. 94901,80% Nylon/20% Spandex, Item #983684GN, obtained from Hancock Fabrics,One Fashion Way, Baldwyn, Miss. 38824.

A one inch diameter circle for each of the dyed detergent samples wasdrawn using a template and labeled with the dye identification on thetest fabrics with a non-staining, acrylic ink textile marker (TEXPENtextile marker made by Mark-tex Corp., Englewood, N.J. 07631).

The test fabrics were placed on top of a piece of plastic backed papercounter sheet, or alternatively, a single layer of paper towel overaluminum foil, and stained at the 16 hrs, 1 hr, and 15 min timeintervals. Staining was done by placing approximately 0.5 g of the dyeddetergent on the fabric allowing it to soak through the fabric with theexcess being absorbed by the counter sheet so that the circular testarea was saturated with detergent without spreading to adjacent testcircles. Due to possible light fading of the dyes, they were placedunder a covered area to prevent direct exposure to light while allowingair to pass over the fabrics. The 16 hr stains were applied in theevening while the 1 hr and 15 min swatches were stained the followingmorning prior to washing. The approximate total amount of detergentapplied is calculated by multiplying the total number of stained areasby the amount of detergent delivered for each stain. If this amountexceeds the recommended dosage for the detergent then divide the totaldetergent by the recommended dosage to determine the number of washloads to distribute the stained fabrics. If the stained fabrics do notprovide the total recommended amount of detergent for a load, then thebalance of the detergent is filled with Tide Free (nil-dye) detergent.

The pretreated fabrics are washed in a full scale Kenmore top loadingwasher with 5.5 lbs of terry washcloths used as ballast under medianNorth American conditions of 17 gallons of 90° F./6 grains per gallon ofhardness wash water with a rinse of 60° F./6 grains per gallon ofhardness water. After the wash is complete the test fabrics are driedwith the ballast in a forced heated air drier at the highest temperaturesetting for 60 minutes, or until completely dry.

The circled stain areas were analyzed using a Hunter Colorquest orLabscan XE with D65 lighting, UV filter not included and a 0.5″ portopening. A nil-dye pre-treat control stain was used as the instrumentreference standard for calculating the DE* because the detergentcontains brightener. Visual assessment is done under fluorescent lightswith a white paper (92 brightness) background under the swatch. TheDE*/Visual Scale allows communication of stain intensity in anon-technical manner.

DE*/Visual Scale

-   -   <1=0 No visible staining    -   1-2.5=1 Slightly off white area    -   2.5-5=2 Light but visible stain    -   5-10=3 Clearly visible stain    -   >10=4 A dark stain

Test Results Test 1: Determination of Component Parts of Bis-AzoColorants

TABLE 1 A, B and C moieties used to construct bluing agentsA—N═N—B—N═N—C. A Moieties A1

A2

A3

B Moieties B1

B2

B3

C Moieties C1

C2

C3

C4

C5

C6

C7

C8

C9

Test 2: Determination of Molar Absorptivity of Bis-Azo Colorants

The molar absorptivity (ε) of each example is provided in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Molar Absorptivity of Bis-Azo Colorants Example Molar Abs No.(ε) Example 1 28615 Example 2 12399 Example 3 23657 Example 4 26346Example 5 43706 Example 6 21877 Example 7 27436 Example 8 16620 Example9 34649 Example 10 15103 Example 11 25427 Example 12 8347 Example 1311223 Example 14 23691 Example 15 28205 Example 16 32492 Example 1721645 Example 18 34180 Example 19 35408

Test 3: Determination of Deposition and Hue Angle

Table 3 provides the deposition and hue angle for Examples 1-19. Thedata is sorted by variation in Components A, B and C, as determinedpreviously.

Depo- Absolute Relative Components sition Hue Angle Hue Angle Sample No.A B C Abs^(Δb−2) A θ_(R) Vari- Example 14 1 1 1 0.0778 274.9 256.0 ationExample 15 2 1 1 0.0584 277.2 275.7 in A Example 16 3 1 1 0.0436 282.9315.0 Example 1 1 1 4 0.0463 274.2 250.7 Example 3 2 1 4 0.0170 277.2275.7 Example 4 3 1 4 0.0341 286.2 327.2 Example 19 1 1 7 0.0375 273.9248.2 Example 17 2 1 7 0.0245 275.7 262.9 Example 18 3 1 7 0.0181 279.4294.2 Example 2 1 2 4 0.0345 273.6 245.8 Example 5 3 2 4 0.0140 276.8272.9 Vari- Example 9 1 1 2 0.0562 274.9 256.0 ation Example 10 1 2 20.1223 274.6 253.3 in B Example 1 1 1 4 0.0463 274.2 250.7 Example 2 1 24 0.0345 273.6 245.8 Example 6 1 1 5 0.0209 274.9 256.0 Example 7 1 2 50.0255 272.9 241.2 Example 4 3 1 4 0.0341 286.2 327.2 Example 5 3 2 40.0140 276.8 272.9 Vari- Example 14 1 1 1 0.0778 274.9 256.0 ationExample 14 0.0748 274.9 256.0 in C Example 9 1 1 2 0.0562 274.9 256.0Example 1 1 1 4 0.0463 274.2 250.7 Example 6 1 1 5 0.0209 274.9 256.0Example 19 1 1 7 0.0375 273.9 248.2 Example 10 1 2 2 0.1223 274.6 253.3Example 8 1 2 3 0.0925 272.3 237.0 Example 2 1 2 4 0.0345 273.6 245.8Example 7 1 2 5 0.0255 272.9 241.2 Example 12 1 2 6 0.0347 274.2 250.7Example 13 1 2 8 0.0409 272.0 235.0 Example 11 1 2 9 0.0905 274.9 256.0Example 15 2 1 1 0.0584 277.2 275.7 Example 3 2 1 4 0.0170 277.2 275.7Example 3 0.0168 275.9 264.3 Example 17 2 1 7 0.0245 275.7 262.9 Example16 3 1 1 0.0436 282.9 315.0 Example 4 3 1 4 0.0341 286.2 327.2 Example18 3 1 7 0.0181 279.4 294.2

With respect to the data contained in Table 3, absolute hue angledescribes the actual hue angle of the fabric on the a*, b* plane. Thisis the angle that a consumer actually sees when looking at the fabric.Relative hue angle is determined against a tracer fabric washed innil-dye HDL (i.e. same detergent, but without dye), and thus gives themovement within the a*, b* plane relative to the nil-dye control.

Thus, the bluing agent of the present invention may have an absolute hueangle in the range of 265° to 310°, 265° to 300°, 265° to 295°, 270° to295°, 270° to 290°, or even in the range of 273° to 287°.

Exemplary Detergent Formulations Formulations 1a-1l: Liquid DetergentFormulations

Tables 4A and 4B provide examples of liquid detergent formulations whichinclude at least one bluing agent of the present invention. Theformulations are shown in Table 4A as Formulations 1a through if and inTable 4B as Formulations 1g through 1l.

TABLE 4A Liquid Detergent Formulations Comprising the Inventive BluingAgent 1a 1b 1c 1d 1e 1f⁵ Ingredient wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % sodiumalkyl ether sulfate 14.4% 14.4% 9.2% 5.4% linear alkylbenzene sulfonic4.4% 4.4% 12.2% 5.7% 1.3% 22.0% acid alkyl ethoxylate 2.2% 2.2% 8.8%8.1% 3.4% 18.0% amine oxide 0.7% 0.7% 1.5% citric acid 2.0% 2.0% 3.4%1.9% 1.0% 1.6% fatty acid 3.0% 3.0% 8.3% 16.0% protease 1.0% 1.0% 0.7%1.0% 2.5% amylase 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% lipase 0.2% borax 1.5% 1.5% 2.4%2.9% calcium and sodium formate 0.2% 0.2% formic acid 1.1% amineethoxylate polymers 1.8% 1.8% 2.1% 3.2% sodium polyacrylate 0.2% sodiumpolyacrylate 0.6% copolymer DTPA¹ 0.1% 0.1% 0.9% DTPMP² 0.3% EDTA³ 0.1%fluorescent whitening agent 0.15% 0.15% 0.2% 0.12% 0.12% 0.2% ethanol2.5% 2.5% 1.4% 1.5% propanediol 6.6% 6.6% 4.9% 4.0% 15.7% sorbitol 4.0%ethanolamine 1.5% 1.5% 0.8% 0.1% 11.0% sodium hydroxide 3.0% 3.0% 4.9%1.9% 1.0% sodium cumene sulfonate 2.0% silicone suds suppressor 0.01%perfume 0.3% 0.3% 0.7% 0.3% 0.4% 0.6% Non-tinting dyes⁴ 0.0001% 0.001%0.008% 0.03% 0.015% 0.05% First bis-azo colorant⁶ 0.001% 0.001% 0.0005%Second bis-azo colorant⁶ 0.013% 0.005% 0.003% 0.001% water balancebalance balance balance balance balance 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 4B Liquid Detergent Formulations Comprising the Inventive BluingAgent 1g 1h 1i 1j 1k 1l⁵ Ingredient wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % sodiumalkyl ether sulfate 14.4% 14.4% 9.2% 5.4% linear alkylbenzene sulfonic4.4% 4.4% 12.2% 5.7% 1.3% 22.0% acid alkyl ethoxylate 2.2% 2.2% 8.8%8.1% 3.4% 18.0% amine oxide 0.7% 0.7% 1.5% citric acid 2.0% 2.0% 3.4%1.9% 1.0% 1.6% fatty acid 3.0% 3.0% 8.3% 16.0% protease 1.0% 1.0% 0.7%1.0% 1.7% amylase 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 0.6% lipase 0.2% 0.2% borax 1.5% 1.5%2.4% 2.9% calcium and sodium formate 0.2% 0.2% formic acid 1.1% amineethoxylate polymers 1.8% 1.8% 2.1% 3.2% sodium polyacrylate 0.2% sodiumpolyacrylate 0.6% copolymer DTPA¹ 0.1% 0.1% 0.9% DTPMP² 0.3% EDTA³ 0.1%fluorescent whitening agent 0.15% 0.15% 0.2% 0.12% 0.12% 0.2% ethanol2.5% 2.5% 1.4% 1.5% propanediol 6.6% 6.6% 4.9% 4.0% 15.7% sorbitol 4.0%ethanolamine 1.5% 1.5% 0.8% 0.1% 11.0% sodium hydroxide 3.0% 3.0% 4.9%1.9% 1.0% sodium cumene sulfonate 2.0% silicone suds suppressor 0.01%perfume 0.3% 0.3% 0.7% 0.3% 0.4% 0.6% Non-tinting dyes⁴ 0.0001% 0.001%0.008% 0.03% 0.015% 0.05% First bis-azo colorant⁶ 0.01% 0.005% 0.005%Second bis-azo colorant⁶ 0.01% 0.02% 0.003% 0.012% opacifier⁷ 0.5% waterbalance balance balance balance balance balance 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Footnotes for Formulations 1a-1:¹diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, sodium salt²diethylenetriaminepentakismethylenephosphonic acid, sodium salt³ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, sodium salt ⁴a non-tinting dye ormixture of non-tinting dyes used to adjust formula color ⁵compactformula, packaged as a unitized dose in polyvinyl alcohol film ⁶Bis-azocolorants selected from Examples 1-19, preferably with hueingefficiency >10 and wash removability 30-85% ⁷Acusol OP301

Formulations 2a-2e: Granular Detergent Formulations

Table 5 provides examples of granular detergent formulations whichinclude at least one bluing agent of the present invention. Theformulations are shown in Table 5 as Formulations 2a through 2e.

TABLE 5 Granular Detergent Formulations Comprising the Inventive BluingAgent 2a 2b 2c 2d 2e Ingredient wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % Na linearalkylbenzene sulfonate 3.4% 3.3% 11.0% 3.4% 3.3% Na alkylsulfate 4.0%4.1% 4.0% 4.1% Na alkyl sulfate (branched) 9.4% 9.6% 9.4% 9.6% alkylethoxylate 3.5% type A zeolite 37.4% 35.4% 26.8% 37.4% 35.4% sodiumcarbonate 22.3% 22.5% 35.9% 22.3% 22.5% sodium sulfate 1.0% 18.8% 1.0%sodium silicate 2.2% protease 0.1% 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% sodium polyacrylate1.0% 1.2% 0.7% 1.0% 1.2% carboxymethylcellulose 0.1% PEG 600 0.5% 0.5%PEG 4000 2.2% 2.2% DTPA 0.7% 0.6% 0.7% 0.6% fluorescent whitening agent0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% sodium percarbonate 5.0% 5.0% sodiumnonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate 5.3% 5.3% silicone suds suppressor 0.02%0.02% 0.02% 0.02% perfume 0.3% 0.3% 0.2% 0.3% 0.3% First bis-azocolorant¹ 0.004% 0.001% 0.02% Second bis-azo colorant¹ 0.006% 0.002%0.004% water and miscellaneous balance balance Balance balance balance100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% ¹Bis-azo colorants selected fromExamples 1-19, preferably with hueing efficiency >10 and washremovability of 30-85%.

Exemplary Fabric Care Compositions Formulations 3a-3d: Liquid FabricCare Compositions

Table 6 provides examples of liquid fabric care compositions whichinclude at least one bluing agent of the present invention. Thecompositions are shown in Table 6 as Formulations 3a through 3d.

TABLE 6 Liquid Fabric Care Compositions Comprising the Inventive BluingAgent Ingredients 3a 3b 3c 3d Fabric Softening Active ^(a) 13.70% 13.70%13.70% 13.70% Ethanol 2.14% 2.14% 2.14% 2.14% Cationic Starch ^(b) 2.17%2.17% 2.17% 2.17% Perfume 1.45% 1.45% 1.45% 1.45% Phase Stabilizing0.21% 0.21% 0.21% 0.21% Polymer ^(c) Calcium Chloride 0.147% 0.147%0.147% 0.147% DTPA ^(d) 0.007% 0.007% 0.007% 0.007% Preservative ^(e)  5ppm  5 ppm  5 ppm  5 ppm Antifoam ^(f) 0.015% 0.015% 0.015% 0.015% Firstbis-azo colorant ^(i) 30 ppm 15 ppm Second bis-azo colorant ^(i) 30 ppmThird bis-azo colorant ^(i) 30 ppm 15 ppm Tinopal CBS-X ^(g) 0.2 0.2 0.20.2 Ethoquad C/25 ^(h) 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 Ammonium Chloride 0.1% 0.1%0.1% 0.1% Hydrochloric Acid 0.012% 0.012% 0.012% 0.012% Deionized WaterBalance Balance Balance Balance ^(a)N,N-di(tallowoyloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride. ^(b) Cationicstarch based on common maize starch or potato starch, containing 25% to95% amylose and a degree of substitution of from 0.02 to 0.09, andhaving a viscosity measured as Water Fluidity having a value from 50 to84. ^(c) Copolymer of ethylene oxide and terephthalate having theformula described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,179 at col. 15, lines 1-5,wherein each X is methyl, each n is 40, u is 4, each R¹ is essentially1,4-phenylene moieties, each R² is essentially ethylene, 1,2-propylenemoieties, or mixtures thereof. ^(d) Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.^(e) KATHON ® CG available from Rohm and Haas Co. ^(f) Silicone antifoamagent available from Dow Corning Corp. under the trade name DC2310. ^(g)Disodium 4,4′-bis-(2-sulfostyryl) biphenyl, available from CibaSpecialty Chemicals. ^(h) Cocomethyl ethoxylated [15] ammonium chloride,available from Akzo Nobel. ^(i) Bis-azo colorants selected from Examples1-19, preferably with hueing efficiency >10 and wash removability of30-85%.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a bluing agent for textileand/or paper substrates comprising at least one chromophore componentthat comprises a bis-azo colorant and at least one polymeric component.A laundry detergent composition and a rinse added fabric softenercontaining such a bluing agent is also contemplated herein.

While particular aspects of the present invention have been illustratedand described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art thatvarious other changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended tocover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that arewithin the scope of this invention.

1. A laundry care composition comprising a laundry care ingredient and abluing agent comprising: (a) at least one chromophore component thatcomprises a bis-azo colorant, and (b) at least one polymeric componentor substituted sulfonamide component; wherein the bluing agent has thefollowing structure:

wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy,alkyl capped alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, alkyl capped polyalkyleneoxy,urea, or amido; R₃ is an aryl group substituent that may be asubstituted phenyl or napthyl moiety; X is a substituted oxygen, asubstituted or unsubstituted amino, or a substituted or unsubstitutedsulfonamide group wherein the substituents are selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, or phenyl moietieswherein the phenyl group may be further substituted with alkyl,alkyleneoxy or polyalkyleneoxy moieties.
 2. The laundry care compositionof claim 1, wherein the bluing agent comprises a polyoxyalkylene chainhaving from 2 to about 30 repeating units.
 3. The laundry carecomposition of claim 2, wherein the bluing agent comprises apolyoxyalkylene chain having from 2 to about 20 repeating units.
 4. Thelaundry care composition of claim 3, wherein the bluing agent comprisesa polyoxyalkylene chain having from 2 to about 10 repeating units. 5.The laundry care composition of claim 4, wherein the bluing agentcomprises a polyoxyalkylene chain having from about 4 to about 6repeating units.
 6. The laundry care composition of claim 1, wherein thebluing agent comprises an alkoxylated bis-azo polymeric colorant.
 7. Thelaundry care composition of claim 1, wherein the bluing agent'schromophore exhibits an absorbance spectrum maximum in water of fromabout 520 nanometers to about 640 nanometers.
 8. The laundry carecomposition of claim 1, wherein the bluing agent's chromophore exhibitsan absorbance spectrum maximum in water of from about 560 nanometers toabout 610 nanometers.
 9. The laundry care composition of claim 1,wherein the bluing agent exhibits an absolute hue angle in the range of265° to 310°.
 10. The laundry care composition of claim 9, wherein thebluing agent exhibits an absolute hue angle in the range of 273° to287°.
 11. The laundry care composition of claim 1, wherein the bluingagent has the following structure:

wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently H, alkyl, alkoxy, alkyleneoxy,alkyl capped alkyleneoxy, polyalkyleneoxy, alkyl capped polyalkyleneoxy,or amido; W is a substituted amino moiety; U is a hydrogen, an aminogroup or an amino group substituted with an acyl group; Y is a hydrogenor a sulfonic acid moiety; and Z is a sulfonic acid moiety or an aminogroup substituted with a phenyl group.
 12. The laundry care compositionof claim 11, wherein R₁ is alkoxy and R₂ is alkyl.